By Isiah Christie
Pokemon GO, a mobile phenomenon that initially excited the world in 2016, is still going strong nearly a decade later. Based on the well-known, globalized video game franchise of Pokemon, where players capture animal-based creatures named Pokemon and train them, this mobile iteration uses real-world-timing and augmented reality to simulate catching Pokemon in real life.
Pokemon GO Fest, which is hosted periodically in different locations around the world, found itself in Jersey City’s Liberty State Park as a location of interest. This was due to the widespread population of gaming and Pokemon fans in the New York metropolitan area, ensuring a large attendance draw – and considering its turnout that nearly reached the 100,000 mark, the event’s planners were more than justified in their location of choice.
The event spanned three days, lasting from Friday, June 6th to Sunday, June 8th in spite of spotty weather conditions and concerns about traffic. There were particular rumblings about the location’s eligibility due to potential overcrowding of the PATH and NJ Transit Light Rail systems, both of which were not expected to sustain the mass population the event would bring. “They are telling people to park at the mall and take [the] Light Rail? Oh Lord[,] that’s gonna be a mess,” one social media user said regarding the event. The negative perception of the event to local commuters forced a quick-thinking shift to NJ Transit’s typical schedule, which they respectfully provided promptly. An extra train was provided at the Light Rail’s Liberty State Park stop to accommodate extra traffic, and trains arrived and departed on Track 2 at Lincoln Harbor Station for similar purposes. It was a decision met with much acclaim, although some residents were dismayed by the service’s choice to only improve transit frequency for the sake of a commercially beneficial event. “Funny how they can improve service on a whim for big events with people from out of town, but they can never do this for the folks who actually live here and need to use the light rail to get around”, one Jersey City citizen said in frustration.
Regardless, the event was nicely managed for something of its magnitude – visitors praised Jersey City’s readiness of parking garages, although some complained that the over-packing of Liberty State Park forced them to detour to another local park, such as New York City’s Bryant Park or Central Park. Pokemon GO players were also unnerved by the expensive nature of the New York metropolitan area, believing that transit prices to travel between New Jersey and New York were unnecessarily steep for a gaming experience. It did not deter fans from participation, however.
The massive bouts of rain were combated by locals bringing adequate items (umbrellas, rain coats, etc.), and the presence of Liberty State Park’s local activities and carnival games retained interest among skeptics.
The massive turnout for Pokemon GO Fest does represent the kickoff to what is expected to be one of Jersey City’s most lively and active summers among residents in a long time – how the city capitalizes on the reception to this event, however, is yet to be seen. It’s undeniable that improvements to transit and better communication are a necessary improvement, but North Jersey citizens will show out to anything ceremoniously, and its gaming community is no different.
